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Hurley pushing for Stefan-U.S. F1 merger

February 25, 2010

The Stefan GP team would use cars and engines purchased from the disbanded Toyota Formula One team, if it makes the grid for this year's races. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAHIC

U.S. F1 shareholder Chad Hurley and Stefan GP boss Zoran Stefanovich are trying to put together a deal that would see their Formula One teams join forces and make it to the first race in Bahrain, sources have confirmed.

The logical scenario of a team with no car linking up with a team with no entry finally appears likely to unfold. Hurley has given up on pursuing a deal with Colin Kolles and Campos to pursue the Stefan talks.

The FIA will, in theory, have no problem in allowing Stefan onto the Bahrain grid if such a deal takes place before the start of the season. It would also support a name change, although other F1 stakeholders would also have to agree.

Life would be much easier for the FIA and its new president, Jean Todt, if a merger does go ahead. The alternative scenario--the cancelling of the U.S. F1 entry and a new bid process--would be far more complicated legally.

Meanwhile, Jacques Villeneuve is on standby and would be willing to sign up as teammate to Kazuki Nakajima, should the team get an entry.

However, AutoWeek understands that U.S. F1 founders Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor are not amenable to such a deal and still wish to pursue their dream of fielding an American car. However, since Hurley owns a significant stake in the team--and has more funds to put in--he presumably is in the driver's seat, and that may ultimately enable him to push the merger through.

In addition, the visit of Charlie Whiting to Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday has given the FIA a clearer picture of what is going on there, and the governing body may now be in a position to force the issue and perhaps give Anderson and Windsor no alternative but to do a deal.

There could be more for Stefan GP to gain than just an entry. Stefan has a base in Belgrade, Serbia, and also has a foothold at the Toyota factory in Cologne. However, the U.S. F1 facility in Charlotte could still be of use as a manufacturing base. It may prove more economical to have parts made in the United States than by Toyota.

Ultimately there's also a question of the 2011 car, which won't necessarily be a Toyota product. U.S. F1 also has access to the Windshear wind-tunnel facility. If the Charlotte facilities are of use to Stefan, then jobs could be secure there.

Sources say that one Toyota/Stefan chassis is ready in Cologne but the second is not yet complete, and a total lack of back-up spares will make the early races difficult.

The engine will not be badged as a Toyota, although the company will send a handful of full-time staff members to races to support it. They are likely to be the only current Toyota employees to travel to the races with Stefan.